omniscient
UK/ɒm'niʃәnt/US
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
Knowing everything; having unlimited knowledge.
全知的，无所不知的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedomni- ('all') + scient ('knowing') = 'all-knowing.' Used of a god, or — in literature — of a narrator who can see into every character's mind at once. Note the participle form scient, the same stem in prescient and conscientious.
Root sci still carries 10 more wordsUsage Guide
Most common in literary analysis: an omniscient narrator (or third-person omniscient point of view) is one who knows every character's thoughts and the full story. Outside literature it usually describes a god or, ironically, someone who acts as if they know everything.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The story is told by an omniscient narrator who knows every secret.
- 2.
Believers describe their god as omniscient and all-powerful.
- 3.
No coach is omniscient; everyone makes mistakes.